Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-10
Big Stone Gap.

Observing lately the new and growing
interest developing at Big Stone Gap, we
compiled some of the early history con-
nected with it, which appeared in the SPEC
TAToR q the 3rd instant. On the same
day communication was published in the
Richmond Dispatch, giving an interesting
account IF the present progress there,
which copy {:
'sThe hitherto out-of- the-way place To-
cally lsrnwn as Big Stone Gap, but since
called Ini 5oden and Mineral City, is GEL
tainly ile point at which great iron enter
| prises y i'll in the near future centre. It is
located in Wise county, on Powels river,
which cut; through the mountain, making
pass siialar to that at Balcony Falls,
where Tie James passes through the Blue
Ridge I'he river then flows along Poor
Valley, and all over this ridge iron ore of
| the best q ,ality is found in endless guam
tity. IDlylediately IN the gorge through
| the r1ulli ain and along the north side of
| it is fouo3 coal iu iuexhaustibie quantities,
and Of ~ very best quality for manGiac-
/ turing pr poses, it being second to none i'll
colZe-Fn sing properties. Thus you have
| the coke md she ore within the shortest
possible q jstauee-one on the north and the
| other o., fle south side Of the mountain
| with tA- natural pathway connecting the
| two WHAT better conditions are found in
any spot? Birmingham with all her boom
can show no better facilities for business
and grand entersrisesthan can this favored
spot l., addition to having the iron and
! the coal y . have here an exceptionally fine
| location f.,r large city. There arc about
1000 acseS Of level land, high and dry. To-
Gated hetgeen the three creeks that form
| Powels river This is Immediately at the
gap Though the mountain, and must be
the conueoting point for the yarioas all
reads n,4s projecting. Railroad neR who
| are far gifted and far-reachiD2 are now
fighting t,,rsu pTemacy here.
The S .;Ish Atlantic and Ohio, which runs
from Bris- oil to Big Stone Gap, is now
built, and the cars are running twenty
nire mites. Work is being pushed along
the wnoi,. lins, AMI ii will be completed
through thin twelve months. This rail
road is buing built to connect with the
Louisyil. and Nashville at Big Stone Gap.
The Los svile and Nashville is now CON-
pletsd To- within about forty miles Of Big
Stone CD The Norfolk and Western is
also exbs.,:ing its line from Graham, Taze
we'll Goa II, TO this point to connect with
The Ienssyii,e and Nashville. The Vir-
ginia Western IS also in the field, having
Obtained the right of way for long dis
lance aloo.s the best iron belt in this sec
ton. al interest must centre at Big Stone
Gap, as that is the only point where rail
.oad can pass through the mountains with
out very g.s2t expense.
Many zen and eoal-ruen have been in
this section, and most OF the mineral lands
have been sold at big prices.
Professor McCreath and DR.. De Inv;lliers,
geolog;sts of great reputation, are now
making critical examinations of the mine
rails il this section in the interest Of the
Norfolk and Western railroad ard capital
lists, and 50 far report very favorably.
There are already five stores located here,
and hotel of no mean pretent;ohs.
The toN is already laid off in good style
with wido streets, and corner lots now at
low figures, will soon command booming
priaes.
RlohmoI.l shGll,d he awake to this mat
ter and iiif fail to make connection By rail
with this SO elton, which will surely be one
of great fnufaeturing importance. This
she can a. by pushing along the Virginia
Western raiiroad. W. II. i.